Browse Skills explosives

explosives

🔄 Evolving ESCO reuse: sector-specific

Behaviour of explosives, pyrotechnics and blasting techniques. Associated risks and legal requirements.

explosives — behaviour of explosives, pyrotechnics and blasting techniques. Associated risks and legal requirements. McKinsey's Skill Change Index places it in the evolving band (SCI 50.68/100) — the skill will still matter in 2030 but the nature of the work is changing. ESCO classifies it as a sector-specific (rooted in one industry) skill within knowledge. It is currently listed by 6 occupations in our catalogue, including ammunition assembler, bomb disposal technician, explosives engineer, and nitrator operator.

Category: knowledge › mechanics and metal trades SCI: 50.68/100 Also known as: pyrotechnic materials, blasting materials, charge of explosive, reactive substance, explosive materials, blasting techniques

Occupations that require explosives

Showing top 6 of 6 occupations · ranked by India employment volume, then AI-durability.

ammunition assembler · 🤖 5.0/10
bomb disposal technician · 🤖 5.0/10
explosives engineer · 🤖 5.0/10
nitrator operator · 🤖 5.0/10
pyrotechnics drying room attendant · 🤖 5.0/10
shotfirer · 🤖 5.0/10

Frequently asked questions

What is explosives?

Behaviour of explosives, pyrotechnics and blasting techniques. Associated risks and legal requirements.

What category of skill is explosives?

ESCO classifies explosives under the knowledge category, specifically in the mechanics and metal trades subcategory.

Is explosives an AI-durable skill?

McKinsey's Skill Change Index places it in the evolving band (SCI 50.68/100) — the skill will still matter in 2030 but the nature of the work is changing. Continue investing, but pair it with the AI-tool workflow that is reshaping the field so you evolve with it.

Which jobs require explosives?

In our catalogue, 6 occupations list explosives as a required or important skill. The top occupations by employment volume include ammunition assembler, bomb disposal technician, explosives engineer, nitrator operator, pyrotechnics drying room attendant, shotfirer.

How transferable is explosives between industries?

ESCO tags explosives as a sector-specific (rooted in one industry) skill — a signal of how portable it is when you change field.

Is explosives the same as pyrotechnic materials?

Yes — explosives is also known as pyrotechnic materials, blasting materials, charge of explosive, reactive substance, explosive materials, blasting techniques, pyrotechnics, or explosive charge. They refer to the same underlying capability in the ESCO taxonomy.

How can I learn explosives?

The most reliable path is to pick a job or project that demands explosives and learn through delivery. Complement that with role-specific roadmaps and short courses. Explore the occupations below to see where this skill is used in practice.

Data: ESCO v1.2.1 (CC-BY-4.0). Durability framework informed by McKinsey Global Institute (Nov 2025). See our methodology.